Register Today for the David R. Collins Writers’ Conference – June 22-24 at Augustana College

After twenty-plus years, the David R. Collins Writers’ Conference (formerly known as the Mississippi Valley Writers’ Conference) will return to the campus of Augustana College this summer, June 22-24. Featuring our stellar Conference Faculty (Kali White VanBaale, Keith Pilapil Lesmeister, Jesus “Chuy” Renteria, and Rebecca Wee) leading three-day workshops, participating in a Community Conversation keynote event, and holding a public reading. We’ll also be hosting community book fair on Saturday, 6/24 for local/regional authors, publishers, booksellers, and more.

Applications for the Great River Writers Retreat – Deadline 5/31

The Great River Writers Retreat winner is selected from an applicant pool of writers from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin across multiple genres, and allows the winner to spend a week working on a specific writing project they have underway.

The Great River Writer’s Retreat Contest will open for all writers on January 1, 2023 and close on May 31, 2023. The retreat dates for 2023 are July 25-31, 2023 at the Benet House Retreat Center in Rock Island, IL.

Announcing the Winners of Iron Pen XV

Thanks so much to everyone who participated in Iron Pen 2023. We received many terrific entries, and our excellent judges—Samantha DeFilippo (nonfiction), Rachel Rixen (fiction), and Deanie Vallone (poetry), who are last year’s winners in each category—had very difficult decisions to make in their evaluations. We appreciate everyone’s time and talents in making this year’s contest one of the biggest we’ve ever had (120 people registered for Iron Pen XV).